8 Great Wildflower Hikes

There are plenty of amazing sights to see while hiking. If you are interested in witnessing some of the world’s most colorful and beautiful wildflowers, then these destinations are definitely worth a visit.

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina/Tennessee, USA

This beautiful national park is one of the best areas to witness spring flowers as they burst into bloom between February and April. There are plenty of hiking trails that are three miles long or shorter that wind past a colorful assortment of flowers such as bleeding heart, columbine, wood sorrel, trilliums, and violets. When the summer arrives you’ll find that different wildflowers cover the ground. These include pink turtleheads, red cardinal flowers, bee balm, Turk’s cap lily, jewel weed, purple-fringed orchids, black-eyed Susans, jewel weed, and butterfly weed.

2. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin, Texas, USA

This fabulous wildflower center is located at Austin’s University of Texas. The center was founded by former first lady, Lady Bird Johnson and actress Helen Hayes back in 1982 as a way to preserve and protect the natural landscapes and native plants in North America. The center features many gardens with trails that are about a mile long. You’ll be able to see plants such as Indian blanket and Texas bluebonnets.

3. Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, South Africa

While much of Africa is known for its tremendous array of wildlife, you’ll also be able to view some beautiful wildflowers while hiking down in South Africa at the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. This reserve features 750 different plant species. There are tours available that combine stays in Cape Town as well as at the nature reserve where you’ll be able to wind down in a luxury lodge.

4. Bernese Oberland, Switzerland

You’ll be able to find guided hikes in the Bernese Oberland that also take in Lake Lucerne. These adventures take you on moderate climbs as well as some steep descents. The paths reach a height of about 7,000 feet. If you head over to Wegenalp, you’ll be able to hike amongst flower-covered meadows and witness some fantastic alpine scenery.

5. Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington, USA

In Washington’s famous Mt. Ranier National Park you’ll see some wonderful sights, such as flower-filled meadows sitting in the shadows of the great glaciated volcano. If you head to Mowich Lake inside the park you’ll be able to enjoy a six-mile hike through colorful meadows that are filled with red paintbrush and purple lupine. You could also run into a coyote or two since they like to eat the flowers. The hike takes about two hours each way and there’s an elevation gain of about 1,300 feet.

6. The Himalayas, India

There’s a place in India known as the Valley of Flowers. This area is located in Garhwal Himalayas in the state of Uttaranchal in the northern part of the country. You’ll be able to see an exotic flower here known as the Blue Himalayan Poppy. The best time to visit to see wildflowers here is between July and September. You’ll also be able to catch a glimpse of calendula, dianthus, anemones, prinula, marsh marigold and potentilla.

7. Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, Colorado, USA

The area of Crested Butte holds an annual wildflower festival during the summer. This event lasts a week and celebrates the diversity of the region’s wildflowers. There are several guided hikes available which range from easy to moderate. You can also explore this splendid area on your own with some of the most popular hikes being in West Maroon Pass, the Teocalli Mountain Hike, and Lily Lake. The wildflowers are in bloom all summer long here.

This state reserve is located just to the north of Los Angeles. You’ll be able to see California poppies among the eight miles of hiking trails that take you through rolling hills. Part of the trail is also paved to provide access for those in wheelchair. The reserve is open for business all year long with the wildflower season peaking in April and May.